He Lied to CPS Just to “Teach Me a Lesson”—Now He Wants Forgiveness
There are few betrayals more serious than a family member weaponizing child protective services against you—especially when it’s done over personal disagreements and judgmental beliefs. For one mother, that betrayal came at the hands of her own brother, who falsely reported her to CPS in an attempt to punish her for choices he didn’t agree with.
Now, with the case closed and her name cleared, she’s being pressured to forgive him “because he’s family.” But what happens when forgiveness doesn’t feel safe—or deserved? This story highlights what happens when boundaries are shattered, trust is obliterated, and someone’s parenting—and entire family life—is put under investigation without cause.
Some snobby people believe that only they know how to parent correctly, and they look down on others
The poster occasionally uses a substance that’s legal where she stays, but her sober brother calls this “bad parenting”
False CPS Reports Aren’t Funny—They’re Traumatizing
For many families, the sound of a knock at the door from a child protective services caseworker is terrifying. Even when you know you’ve done nothing wrong, the fear, judgment, and invasive process can leave emotional scars on both parents and children.
That’s exactly what happened here.
A mother, who legally smokes cannabis in her state, received a call from a CPS investigator out of the blue. The visit came with a laundry list of false complaints—all of which were quickly deemed baseless and unfounded. The caseworker, upon speaking to her confused child, could clearly tell that the accusations were fabricated.
So where did the report come from?
Her brother.
A Sober Lifestyle Turned Into a Moral Crusade
The brother, who has been clean and sober for several years, has increasingly taken issue with his sister’s legal cannabis use—even though it occurs outside the home and never around her children. He has made repeated “jokes” about calling CPS in the past, framing it as a way to scare her straight.
But this time, it wasn’t a joke.
The sister learned the truth moments after the CPS visit, when her brother and his wife walked into the house as she was telling their mother and sister what had just happened.
When she asked if it had been him, his response?
Shrug.
“Yeah, I did. Why?”
The betrayal, the lack of remorse, and the casual admission pushed her over the edge.
Calling CPS Without Cause Isn’t “Just a Mistake”
Filing a false CPS report is not a harmless prank. It’s a serious act with potential to:
- Lead to investigations and legal intervention
- Cause emotional trauma for children
- Damage a parent’s reputation and stability
- Criminalize poverty, disability, or legal lifestyle choices
And yes—filing knowingly false reports can result in criminal penalties in many states.
According to Child Welfare Information Gateway, knowingly making a false report of child abuse or neglect is a misdemeanor or felony in several U.S. jurisdictions. Even if charges aren’t filed, the process can be devastating.
You Don’t Have to Forgive Someone Who Put Your Kids Through That
After CPS closed the case, confirming there was nothing wrong in her home, her brother and sister-in-law began trying to guilt her into forgiveness. They messaged repeatedly, suggesting she was being dramatic and cold for cutting contact.
But as the narrator pointed out:
“My kid was interviewed by a goddamn CPS caseworker.”
Forgiveness isn’t automatic. And being related to someone doesn’t entitle them to reconciliation—especially when they’ve demonstrated a willingness to weaponize systems against you.
The Entitlement Gets Worse: “You Hurt Our Kids”
In a final twist, the brother and his wife exploded again—this time because their children overheard the narrator and her spouse saying they didn’t feel safe with them visiting.
They were staying in a home shared with their father (who invited the brother over without warning). To avoid interaction, the narrator and her partner kept their kids in their room. Unfortunately, the visiting children overheard the conversation and got upset.
Her sister-in-law sent a vulgar, profanity-laced message accusing her of hurting their children and acting cruelly.
But let’s be clear:
- This couple had no remorse for falsely involving social services.
- They dismissed the trauma inflicted on another child.
- They blamed others for the natural consequences of their betrayal.
No, You’re Not the A–hole for Refusing to Rebuild That Bridge
Refusing to forgive someone who:
- Weaponized CPS
- Lied to authorities
- Put your children through emotional distress
- And still hasn’t shown genuine accountability
…is not cruel. It’s self-preservation.
Setting boundaries with family can be gut-wrenching, but it’s necessary. Especially when your children’s safety, mental health, and your legal stability are involved.
Final Thought: Family Should Never Be Your First Enemy
Family should be your first line of defense—not your first threat.
When someone in your life shows they’re willing to jeopardize your children’s well-being just to make a point, that’s not love. That’s control. That’s judgment. That’s manipulation in its most dangerous form.
So no—you’re not the A–hole.
You’re a protective parent who saw the red flags and acted on them.
